Reversible gun rest

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for storing guns of different shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a case for storing guns. The case includes a housing and a gun rest. The housing has a longitudinal length, a lateral width, and a bottom section having a front and back wall. The bottom section surrounds an interior volume of the housing that is accessible through a top opening. A top section of the housing moves between opened and closed positions relative to the opening. One of the walls of the bottom section defines a groove that is open toward the interior volume. The gun rest is insertable into the groove and includes a cradle that is configured to receive a gun. Adjacent gun rests may connect to each other along a side or have cradles of different dimensions on each end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to gun cases. More particularly, the present invention pertains to gun cases that include adjustable features to allow one gun case to hold guns of many different shapes.

2. Description of the Related Art

Guns come in a great variety of configurations, shapes, sizes, and dimensions. More particularly, long barreled weapons (i.e. “long guns”) include rifles, shotguns, and various automatic-firing variations of the same. For instance, the 0.22 caliber rifle is a relatively small, rifle. A double-barreled 12-gage shotgun is an example of a larger weapon. Many gun collectors, hobbyists, hunters, and the like frequently desire to store, or ship, several of these weapons at a time. Because of the wide variety of shapes, sizes and dimensions no single existing gun case can hold every type of available gun. Thus, the variety of guns frequently makes it necessary for the gun enthusiast to have several different gun cases.

Most guns are worth hundreds of dollars and therefore require protection from mechanical abuse while being shipped or stored. Moreover, gunsmiths often decorate guns with a variety of ornamental designs that can be damaged by neglect or abuse. Embossing, engraving, and plating demonstrate just a few of the many types of surface treatments available to the gunsmith for decorating the weapon. Additionally, the stock of the weapon is often made of polished wood in accordance with the desire to create a weapon with a tasteful appearance. Thus, the owner of the gun needs a storage/transport case capable of protecting these surface features. Guns also include moving parts that must remain aligned for proper operation. In particular, the action (e.g. bolt, lever, or pump) can be damaged if subjected to mechanical abuse. Thus, the storage and transport case must protect the weapon from impacts and other mechanical abuse in addition to surface abrasion.

Protecting the guns with a conventional gun case solves the problems discussed above to some degree. However, placing a gun in a case gives rise to other problems. In particular, gun cases typically include pieces of foam rubber upon which the gun rests. The foam absorbs moisture that may cause the gun barrel or other metallic parts to rust. The moisture may also cause the wooden stock to swell or rot, thereby degrading the aim of the weapon. Another problem is that some gun cases utilize a trimmable layer of foam to protect the weapon. Once the foam is trimmed for a particular weapon the case may not be satisfactory for storing other weapon models.

Thus a need exists for a gun case that provides storage for a wide variety of guns while protecting the gun from the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is in view of the above problems that the present invention was developed. The invention includes gun cases, gun rests, and methods for storing guns having different shapes.

More particularly, the present invention provides a gun case that suspends guns on plastic rests. The gun rests have generally U-shaped cradles, or recesses, for holding the guns and are received in a lower portion of the gun case interior in one of several vertically aligned slots. A plurality of ribs along the side walls of the case define the slots. The plastic rests may also contain cradles of different shapes to accommodate guns of different shapes. Each plastic rest is preferably comprised of two pieces connected together along a centerline that permits them to be interchanged with one another as needed. For corrosion prevention, the rests suspend the guns in the cradles with no other contact with the gun case except, preferably, hook and loop tie down straps (e.g. Velcro®). Thus, the various features of the gun case allow the user the flexibility to store many differently shaped weapons in one gun case while preventing corrosion due to moisture.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a case for storing a plurality of guns. The case includes a protective housing and a gun rest. The housing has a longitudinal length, a lateral width, and a bottom section having a front wall and a back wall. The bottom section surrounds an interior volume of the housing that is accessible through a top opening. A top section of the housing is movable between opened and closed positions relative to the opening. One of the walls of the bottom section defines a groove that is open toward the housing interior volume. More particularly, it is preferred that the groove open toward the front or back wall of the gun case. The gun rest is removably insertable into the groove and includes a cradle that is configured to receive a portion of a gun.

The gun case may also include a second groove that is defined by one of the walls and that opens toward the interior volume. Moreover, the second groove may be spaced longitudinally from the first groove. An additional gun rest may be inserted into the second groove so that the pair of gun rests can receive a gun and hold the gun spaced apart from the bottom and top sections. Each of the gun rests may include two pieces that connect to each other via connectors on one edge of each of the pieces. Further, the connectors may be reversible so that the gun rest pieces may be connected to each other in two different relative orientations of the two pieces. The gun rests may include differently shaped cradles on opposite ends of each rest. Optionally rubber pads line the cradles so that the guns rest on the pad and do not chafe against the case.

In a yet another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a gun rest for use with a gun case. The gun rest includes a proximal end, an opposite distal end, and a side extending between the proximal and distal ends. The side of the gun rest may be adapted to engage a groove in a gun case to thereby allow the gun case to support the gun rest along the one side and in a vertical orientation of the gun rest. Either the proximal or distal end includes a cradle that is adapted and dimensioned to allow a portion of at least one gun to rest therein. Of course, the proximal and the distal ends may include cradles of different shapes. A connector on a second side of the gun rest is adapted to connect the gun rest to a connector of an adjacent gun rest. Further, the connectors may connect the gun rests together whether the proximal ends of the gun rests are adjacent to one another or whether the proximal end of one gun rest is adjacent the distal end of the other gun rest.

In still another preferred embodiment, a method of storing guns that have different shapes and sizes is provided. The method includes selecting an orientation for a gun rest that has a proximal end, a distal end, and a cradle at one of the ends. The orientation chosen for the gun rest positions either the proximal or the distal end of the gun rest downwardly. The method also includes placing the gun rest in a gun case in the selected orientation and resting a gun in the cradle. In addition, the selected orientation may be reversed with the gun rest being placed in the gun case in the reversed orientation.

In yet another preferred embodiment, a method of storing guns is provided. The method of this embodiment includes connecting a pair of gun rests together along an edge of each gun rest. At least one of the gun rests has a cradle at one end that is shaped and dimensioned to receive and support a gun in the cradle. The method may also include placing the connected pair of gun rests in a gun case and resting a gun in the cradle.

In still another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides another method of storing guns of different shapes and sizes. The method of this embodiment includes selecting a first position along a longitudinal axis of the gun case for a first gun rest and placing the first gun rest in the gun case at the first elected position. A second position is selected for a second gun rest and the second gun rest is placed in the second position. Resting a gun in the cradle of the first and the second gun rests may also be included in the method of this embodiment. Of course the position of the second gun rest may be changed to accommodate guns of different sizes.

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a gun case constructed in accordance with the principals of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a gun rest of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a method in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like elements, FIG. 1 illustrates a gun case constructed in accordance with the principals of the present invention. The gun case 10 includes a bottom section 12, a top section 14 and at least one gun rest 16. Generally, the bottom section 12 supports the gun rests 16 in a vertical orientation so that guns can rest on the gun rests 16. The top section 14 pivots (relative to the bottom section 12) from an opened position to a closed position wherein the top section encloses the guns in the case 10. Further, the bottom section 12 includes a front wall 18, a back wall 20, and a plurality of grooves 22 defined by the walls 18 and 20. Between the front wall 18 and the back wall 20 an interior volume 24 of the case defines a lateral width dimension (w) and longitudinal length dimension (l) of the gun case 10.

It is intended that terms such as “top” and “bottom,” which might be taken to imply a particular orientation of the gun case 10, do not imply that the gun case 10 of the present invention must be oriented in a particular manner. Rather, the gun case can be positioned in any orientation suitable for storing weapons. For instance, a gun case 10 can stand on an end with the “top” section 14 opening in a forward direction. Thus, “top,” “bottom,” and other similar terms are used merely to provide a description of a particular orientation in which the gun cases 10 of the present invention may be placed.

Each gun rest 16 has a proximal end 26, a distal end 28, and a pair of edges 30. Additionally, each gun rest 16 has cradles 32A to 32H on the gun rest ends 26 and 28, as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the cradles 32 may be shaped differently than the other cradles 32. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that the term “shape” refers to the various features of the cradle as well as the dimensions, or sizes, thereof.

The edges 30 of the gun rests 16 are adapted to engage the grooves 22 so that the gun case bottom section 12 holds the gun rests 16 in a vertical orientation when the gun rests 16 are inserted into the grooves 22. Preferably the grooves 22 open toward either the front wall 18 or the back wall 20. Of course, the gun rests 16 may be removed from the grooves 22 by pulling up on the gun rests 16. Further, since all of the gun rest edges 30 are approximately the width of the grooves 22, any gun rest 16 can be removably inserted into any groove 22. Thus, the longitudinal position of the gun rests 16 relative to the bottom section 12 may be changed by selecting a different groove 22 to hold the gun rest 16. Plus, because the width of each edge 30 is relatively constant, the gun rests 16 can be inserted into the grooves 22 with either the proximal end 26 or distal end 28 pointing up (i.e. toward the top section 14). By selecting the number of gun rests 16 in the gun case, the longitudinal positions of the gun rests 16, the shapes of the cradles 32 (i.e. changing gun rests 16), and the orientation of the gun rests 16, one gun case 10 can accommodate a large variety of differently shaped and sized guns.

With reference to FIG. 2, additional aspects of the present invention are shown. In a preferred embodiment, the gun rest 16 is assembled from two gun rest pieces 16A and 16B. FIG. 2 also shows the pieces 16A and 16B each having an edge 30A (that fits in the grooves 22) and an edge 30B. Along the edge 30B, each of the pieces 16A and 16B has a connector 40 for connecting the piece 16A to an adjacent piece 16B. In this manner multiple gun rest pieces 16A and 16B can be assembled to span the width (w) of the gun case 10. Either the edge 30A of each individual piece or the grooves 22 may include a detent mechanism, or an equivalent device, so that each piece 16A can be retained in a groove 22 without needing another piece 16B spanning the width w of the gun case 10. The resulting open volume (where the missing piece 16B would have been) allows the user to store items in the case 10 along with the gun(s).

Additional flexibility can be achieved through selectively orienting the gun rest pieces 16A and 16B. For instance, the individual pieces 16A and 16B can be inserted into the gun case 10 with the proximal end 26 or distal end 28 oriented pointing up. Each gun rest piece 16A or 16B provides two cradles for holding guns, one on the proximal end 26 and one on the distal end 28. Further, since the cradles 32 at each end 26 and 28 may be shaped differently from one another, many combinations of cradles 32 can be created from just a few gun rest pieces 16A and 16B being selectively joined together. Further, the connector 40 may be reversible. That is, the connector 40 will connect two pieces 16A and 16B regardless of whether the proximal end 26 of one piece 16A is adjacent the proximal end 26 or distal end 28 of another piece 16B. As a result, each assembled gun rest 16 (of at least two pieces) can provide up to four combinations of cradles 32 for holding guns of different shapes. One preferred reversible connector 40 includes a set of hook shaped members 40A on one of the pieces 16A and a set of pin like projections 40B on the other piece 16B. Pieces 16A and 16B of the current embodiment therefore slide together conveniently when one of the pieces is moved vertically with respect to the other piece. Thus, one piece 16A may be removed from the bottom section 12 without disturbing the other piece 16B (and any guns resting thereon). Of course, each piece 16A and 16B may include both hooks and pins (as shown) so that no restriction exists with regard to which pieces 16A and 16B can be assembled together.

In addition to holding the guns, the gun rests 16 serve another function, namely suspending the guns so that they do not contact the sides of the case 10 even if the case 10 is handled roughly. As shown in FIG. 2, the gun rests 16 preferably have a predetermined height dimension (h) associated with the lowest point of each cradle 32. The height (h) ensures that the gun will not touch the interior, lower surface of the gun case 10. Likewise, a distance dimension (d) associated with the side of each cradle 32 prevents the guns from coming into contact with either the front 18 or back 20 walls of the gun case 10, or even other guns, stored in the case 10.

Thus, the gun rests 16 prevent chafing between the surfaces of the guns and the gun case 10. As a result, the gun case 10 can be made from essentially any material without risking abrasions to the guns. In other preferred embodiments, the gun rests 16 also include rubber pads 44 that line the cradles 32. The rubber pads 44 prevent the gun rests 16 themselves from scuffing, or otherwise marring, the surface finish of the guns. Further, suspending the guns in the cradles 32 in isolation from the bottom 12 and top sections 14 prevents entrapment of moisture between the guns and the gun case 10. Corrosion and degradation of the guns are therefore obviated by the present invention.

A pair of hold down straps 46 (e.g. hook and fastener straps) affixed to the bottom section 12 may further secure the stored guns against movement. Once wrapped over the stored guns, the straps 46 prevent the guns from becoming dislodged and contacting the top section 14. The present invention also provides gun rests 16 with cradles 32 providing slight interference fits between the guns and the cradles 32 (lined with a material with properties such that the cradle 32 yields rather than the gun) to retain the guns in the cradles 32. In the alternative, detents and other equivalent retaining means may retain the guns in the cradle 32. Thus, the cradles 32 prevent relative upward movement between the gun case 10 and the guns stored therein. Yet another feature, a set of wheels or casters 48 (See FIG. 1) allows the user to pull the case 10 along (via a handle that is not shown) rather than carrying it. As a result, the wheels 48 essentially eliminate the risk of dropping the case 10.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method of storing guns as illustrated by FIG. 3. The illustrated method generally includes selecting a plurality of gun rests, selecting locations in the gun case for the gun rests, and assembling the gun case. More particularly, the method 100 includes selecting at least one gun rest that has cradles for resting guns therein. See operation 102. Orientations for the gun rests are also chosen in operation 104 so that the appropriate cradles will be orientated toward the top of the gun case when placed in the gun case. If gun rests that can connect to each other are used, connections can be made between the gun rests in operation 106. The gun rests are then inserted into the selected locations in the gun case. See operation 108. Next, guns may be placed in the gun case by resting them in the cradles. The choices made in these operations 102 to 108 may be adjusted as desired to provide a fit for guns of many different shapes and sizes as illustrated by operation 110. In operation 112 the guns can be removed from the gun case when storage is no longer desirable. Further, the gun rests can be removed and disconnected from each other as reference 116 indicates.

In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and attained. Gun cases have been provided that protect guns from damage and corrosion. Moreover, the gun cases provided allow the user a considerable degree of flexibility with regard to the shapes of the guns that can be stored in the gun cases of the present invention. Methods have also been provided for storing and protecting guns from corrosion and mechanical damage while providing similar flexibility in the types of guns to be stored in the gun case.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 

1. A case for storing a plurality of guns, the guns having different shapes, the case comprising: a protective housing having a longitudinal length and a lateral width, the housing including a bottom section having a front wall and a back wall, the bottom section surrounding an interior volume of the housing that is accessible through a top opening, the protective housing having a top section that is movable between opened and closed positions of the top section relative to the top opening; a groove defined by at least one of the front wall and the back wall and that is open toward the housing interior volume; and a gun rest that is removably insertable into the groove, the gun rest including a cradle that is configured to receive a portion of a gun in the cradle.
 2. The case according to claim 1, further comprising: the groove being a first groove, the gun case further including a second groove defined by at least one of the front wall and the back wall and that is open toward the interior volume, the second groove to be spaced longitudinally from the first groove.
 3. The case according to claim 2, further comprising: a second gun rest engaged with the second groove, the first gun rest being removably insertable into the first groove, enabling a gun to rest on the first and the second gun rests and be spaced apart from the bottom section.
 4. The case according to claim 1, further comprising: the gun rest having at least a first piece and a second piece that are releasably connectable, the first piece having the cradle, the pieces each being engageable with the groove and including a proximal end and a distal end, one of the proximal end and the distal end being toward the top section when the piece is engaged with the groove, the pieces being coupleable to each other along an edge of each of the pieces, the edge of each piece being between the proximal end and the distal end of each piece.
 5. The case according to claim 4, further comprising: the pieces each including a reversible connector along the edge, the reversible connectors being able to connect the pieces together in two different relative orientations of the pieces.
 6. The case according to claim 4, further comprising: the pieces being generally flat and having a generally uniform cross section, the pieces each including at least one edge having an enlarged cross section and at least one edge having the generally uniform cross section.
 7. The case according to claim 1, further comprising: the cradle being a first cradle and the gun rest including a second cradle having a different shape than the first cradle, the other of the proximal end and the distal end that includes the first cradle including the second cradle.
 8. The case according to claim 1, further comprising: a rubber pad lining the cradle, the gun to rest on the rubber pad.
 9. A gun rest for a gun case for storing a plurality of guns, the guns having different shapes, the gun rest comprising: a proximal end; a distal end opposed to the proximal end; a cradle adapted and dimensioned to allow at least one of the guns to rest therein, one of the proximal end and the distal end including the cradle; a side disposed between the ends and perpendicular thereto; and one half of a connector on the side and adapted to connect with another one half of a connector on another gun rest.
 10. The gun rest according to claim 9, further comprising: the cradle being a first cradle and the other of the proximal end and the distal end that includes the first cradle including a second cradle adapted and dimensioned to allow at least one of the guns to rest therein.
 11. The gun rest according to claim 9, further comprising; a second side opposed to the first side and adapted to engage a groove defined by the gun case, whereby the groove supports the gun rest in a vertical orientation with one of the proximal end and the distal end being disposed generally above the other end.
 12. The gun rest according to claim 9, further comprising: the one half of a connector is further adapted to connect with a second half of a connector of another gun rest in two different relative orientations of the gun rest and the another gun rest.
 13. A gun rest for a gun case for storing a plurality of guns, the guns having different shapes, the gun rest comprising: a proximal end; a distal end opposed to the proximal end; a first cradle adapted and dimensioned to allow at least one of the guns to rest therein, the proximal end including the first cradle; and a second cradle adapted and dimensioned to allow another of the at least one of the guns to rest therein, the distal end including the second cradle.
 14. The gun rest according to claim 13, further comprising: the first and second gun cradles having different shapes.
 15. A method of storing guns that have different shapes, the method comprising: selecting an orientation for a gun rest, the gun rest including a proximal end and a distal end, one of the proximal end and the distal end having a cradle, the selected orientation having one of the distal ends directed downwardly or the proximal end directed downwardly; placing the gun rest in a gun case in the selected orientation; and resting a gun in the cradle of the gun rest.
 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: reversing the selected orientation and placing the gun rest in the gun case in the reversed orientation.
 17. A method of storing guns that have different shapes, the method comprising: connecting a pair of gun rests together along an edge of each gun rest, at least one of the gun rests having a cradle shaped and dimensioned to allow one of the guns to rest in the cradle, an end of the one gun rest including the cradle; placing the connected pair of gun rests in a gun case; and resting a gun in the cradle.
 18. A method of storing guns that have different shapes, the method comprising: selecting a first position along a longitudinal axis of a gun case for a first gun rest; placing the first gun rest in the gun case at the first position; selecting a second position along the longitudinal axis of the gun case for a second gun rest; placing the second gun rest in the gun case at the second position, each of the gun rests including an end having a cradle, each of the cradles being shaped to allow a gun to rest therein; and resting a gun in the cradles of the gun rests.
 19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: selecting a different second position along the longitudinal axis of the gun case and placing the gun rest in the different second position. 